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The Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology (CCAT) in San Diego, Calif. has presented business service awards to two small companies that have designed and engineered prototype technologies for use in military, homeland security and first responder operations. Avaak and Lextel Intelligence Systems have been selected to receive commercialization assistance to accelerate their products' entrance into the marketplace.

The center awarded Avaak of San Diego a market study, which will examine industry pricing, competitors and market readiness for the company's ultraminiature wireless sensor network. The network has applications in surveillance, port security and battlefield visualization.

Lextel Intelligence Systems, Jackson, Miss. was granted a market study and commercialization planning services, which will provide the company with strategies to expand its technology into new markets and raise capital. Lextel engineers hyperspectral imaging systems designed for chemical and spore (anthrax, ricin, etc.) recognition and improvised explosive device detection.

Sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD), the CCAT program offers funding and business development support to small business entrepreneurs, government labs and academic researchers to speed commercialization of technologies needed by DoD and the Department of Homeland Security.

All business services awarded by the program will be customized to each company's requirements and will be performed as a collaboration between CCAT's experts and each company's management team.

“Since each CCAT client has different needs for getting their technology into the marketplace, individual attention to those needs results in greater long-term success,” said Mike Elconin, CCAT client manager. “This success translates into a win not only for the client, but for the public because both technologies will serve to protect American military and civilian lives.”

For more information about CCAT, visit www.ccatsocal.org.